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So we were at the grocery store 2 weeks ago and there aren’t words to express just how annoying Jarod was in bugging me to let him buy a Dale Earnhardt Jr. box of tissues.

Yes, it is his money.  But just call me an overbearing mother that I wouldn’t let him spend $2 of it on a small box of tissues.

God had a plan for this annoying little episode though, because it gave me the idea to decopauge our own tissue boxes.  (Once my brain got back to normal functioning after dealing with the whining for 30 minutes.)

We used left over wrapping paper, and modge podge to create our own special (much less expensive) tissue boxes.

It’s true, I couldn’t find any wrapping paper with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on it, but luckily Jarod is happy with Cars for now…and throw a princess on an old tire and Makenna would love it.

First we cut out four pieces of our paper.  Two for the narrower sides and two for the wide sides.  Making sure it was enough to wrap up to the tissue opening on top, and around to the bottom a little.  We had to do four pieces so that are design would all face in the right direction.

Next we brushed on the modge podge and stuck the narrow sides on first starting at the top tissue opening edge and smoothing it down.  Plus we wrapped them around to the wider side a little bit so we would have a smooth corner.

Then we put on the wider sides the same way.

Instant beloved tissue box!

Now I have to make some for myself. 

I get bored with the same old boxes in every room.   (Yes, I was raised that there MUST be a box of tissues in each and every room of the house.)

And I’m thinking of all the other things we can recycle and use to decorate our boxes besides wrapping paper.  Pictures from magazines or the Sunday comics or even some of the old maps we have laying around.  Maybe I can even stumble across some photos of Earnhardt Jr. in a newspaper or magazine sometime.

I gave the twins free use of the camera when we went to volunteer at the Flint Hill Farm in Coopersburg today.

There were lots and lots of pictures taken….

And much fighting over the camera.

  Which reminded me why I don’t let them take photos more often.

The animals didn’t seem to mind.

 Each Friday we head over to the farm because we’ve always believed our kids need to think of others besides themselves, and  they need to learn that a little hard work is good for them.

The hard part about volunteering with kids is finding places that will allow children of any age to come help out.

At our old home, when the kids were younger (1 1/2 - 3) we used to go weekly to a nursing home to visit with residents and help them make crafts. 

And when they got a little older (3+) we used to go help stock shelves at a local food pantry until we moved.

We hadn’t done any volunteering around our new home until January when we started at the farm.  We chose a farm because the twins just love animals and it is something Alexandra can enjoy even at her young age. 

What are some things you do with your children to volunteer and help others?

How come I could pass out for a nap for over 2 hours, but the 20 month old only naps 45 minutes and is totally rejuvenated.

Biggest understatement of the year from my overactive son when we were having a discussion about exercise.  “Yeah,” he said, “I try to get some exercise every day.” 

Really, is that why I’m usually exhausted by 10 am just watching him.

I’m so upset.  I went into another local Walmart today to buy fabric only to find they too are getting rid of their fabric department.   Aaagh! 

OK, admittedly I already have a large stash of fabric, but that is no reason not to need to buy more.

My seven year olds are learning about the Iliad and the Odyssey.  Were we stupid in the 70’s or what, because I don’t remember learning about that stuff until high school.

A bit of history outside our home.

This is the path the Liberty Bell took on route to and from Philadelphia over 200 years ago when it was hidden in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania from the British.

This path then served as tracks for a trolley that my parents used to ride on to visit each other when they were dating in the 1950’s.

 Today it’s my favorite place to walk the dogs and kids and get away from all the traffic and developments.

Sometimes it pays to not put your laundry away it’s first day or two out of the washer.

A sock from the wash basket accidently found it’s way stuck onto the bricks on our bedroom wall.

So we started cutting out felt pieces.

Instant Feltboard.

If you have outside bricks you could go outside on a warm day and do a felt board.

Wouldn’t the neighbors be amused if your house had felt all over one side.

No bricks you say.  Then check out Plum Pudding for this cute felt jungle, or this idea for playing with felt at Her Cup Overfloweth. 

Anyway, I’m just excited because it keeps the kids busy a good long time.

The down side is, this is my bedroom wall and this is now how it looks all the time.

 I should not be allowed on the computer on the weekends to browse websites.  I find way too many cool things that I just need to make.

 Like these birds to hang from the ceiling in the girls room.  We love watching birds outside our windows everday so having some colorful fabric ones inside will be perfect.

There are so many great art projects for the kids to do on this page that I don’t know where to begin. 

Makenna currently has 5 loose teeth.  I have got to make her one of these cute tooth fairy pillows to put them in as they come out. 

Now here is a blog that I just found over the weekend that is very hazardous for me.  Crazy Mom Quilts.     Way too many beautiful quilting ideas.  And she shares some great tips on organizing the bazillion pieces of scrap fabric that I have laying around the house and can’t bear to throw away.

When I’m getting stressed and doing way to much planning and worrying I like to remember this verse.

‘In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.’   Proverbs 16:9

I’m glad I have two girls.

It makes sewing easier.  So easy that even Makenna (who is 7 can help with the cutting and sewing).

I can cut a rectangular piece of fabric, sew two seams and insert elastic pretty quickly.

Start getting me to do necks or sleeves and I falter.  So skirts are great.

Makenna even helped cut out a matching heart and we ironed it onto a plain shirt and zig zag stitched around the edges.

To top it off we made a simple hair band.

I could make these all day they got so cute.

(The skirts and matching stuff….not the girls)

I love cards!

There’s nothing like getting a neat little paper that rips open and you find a surprise inside.

Well, actually, if it had food inside, that would be better.

But this one was great cuz it had a kitty on the front….and I love kitties, and since mom and dad won’t get me a real one (like I care if they are allergic to kitties…I want one!), a card is the best I can do.

I liked this one so much I even shared my cracker with him.  And ask anybody, I don’t share my food with anyone unless I really like you AND I’m in a really good mood.

So keep the cards coming Dabaw and Poppi!

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  Hebrews 11:1